Reyco Granning 102AR Air Suspension

Quick Facts

  • Manufacturer: Reyco Granning
  • Product Series: 102AR
  • Product Type: Air drive-axle suspension
  • Suspension Category: Truck air suspension
  • Axle Configurations: Single or tandem drive axle
  • Single-Axle Capacity: 17,000–23,000 pounds
  • Tandem-Axle Capacity: 34,000–46,000 pounds
  • Mounting Heights: 7–10.5 inches
  • Axle Spacing: 52–60 inches for tandem configurations
  • Vertical Axle Travel: 3 inches upward and 2.5 inches downward
  • Brake Compatibility: Disc or drum brakes
  • Primary Applications: Fire trucks, Class A motorhomes, Class 8 tractors, and Class 6–7 trucks
  • Primary Benefit: Combines air springs with spring beams to provide ride quality, roll stability, durability, and dependable load support

Overview

The Reyco Granning 102AR is an air drive-axle suspension designed for commercial trucks, fire and rescue vehicles, Class A motorhomes, and other heavy vehicle applications. It is available for single- and tandem-drive-axle configurations.

The suspension combines air springs with structural spring beams. The air springs support the vehicle and help isolate the chassis from road impacts, while the spring beams locate the axles and transfer acceleration, braking, and cornering forces.

Reyco Granning offers the 102AR with single-axle capacities ranging from 17,000 to 23,000 pounds and tandem capacities ranging from 34,000 to 46,000 pounds. Its available mounting heights and axle spacings allow it to be adapted to several commercial and specialty chassis configurations.

The suspension uses outboard-mounted shock absorbers, adjustable torque arms, close-tolerance machined castings, and high-strength U-bolts. These features are intended to provide stable handling, reliable axle attachment, easier alignment, and relatively low maintenance.

Key Characteristics

  • Air drive-axle suspension
  • Available for single or tandem drive axles
  • Air-spring and spring-beam design
  • Single-axle capacities from 17,000 to 23,000 pounds
  • Tandem capacities from 34,000 to 46,000 pounds
  • Mounting heights from 7 to 10.5 inches
  • Tandem axle spacing from 52 to 60 inches
  • Three inches of upward axle travel
  • Two and one-half inches of downward axle travel
  • Outboard-mounted shock absorbers
  • Adjustable torque arms
  • Close-tolerance machined axle-attachment castings
  • High-strength U-bolts
  • Compatible with disc or drum brakes
  • Designed to provide strong roll stability
  • Suitable for highway, vocational, fire, rescue, and motorhome applications

Major Components

  • Air springs
  • Spring beams
  • Frame brackets
  • Axle seats
  • Machined axle-attachment castings
  • High-strength U-bolts
  • Adjustable torque arms
  • Torque-arm bushings
  • Outboard-mounted shock absorbers
  • Shock-absorber brackets
  • Height-control valve
  • Ride-height linkage
  • Air lines and fittings
  • Lateral-control components
  • Crossmembers
  • Rebound-control components
  • Axle-alignment hardware
  • Structural fasteners
  • Optional suspension dump controls

How the Suspension System Works

Compressed air inside the suspension’s air springs supports the vehicle frame, body, cargo, and mounted equipment. When additional weight causes the chassis to move downward, the height-control valve supplies additional air to the springs.

When weight is removed, the valve releases excess air. This allows the chassis to return to and maintain its specified ride height under changing load conditions.

The spring beams connect the drive axle or axles to the suspension structure. They control axle movement and transfer acceleration, braking, and cornering forces between the axles and frame.

Adjustable torque arms maintain axle position and alignment. On tandem configurations, these components also help keep both drive axles correctly positioned relative to each other and the vehicle frame.

The outboard-mounted shock absorbers slow rapid suspension movement. This helps reduce repeated bouncing, uncontrolled axle movement, and excessive body roll.

Suspension Position and Function

The 102AR is installed between the vehicle frame and its rear drive axle or tandem drive-axle group.

The suspension’s functions include:

  • Supporting the rear chassis and payload
  • Maintaining the specified chassis ride height
  • Allowing controlled vertical axle movement
  • Reducing road shock transmitted into the cab or body
  • Transferring acceleration and braking forces
  • Maintaining drive-axle alignment
  • Maintaining driveline geometry
  • Helping the tires remain in contact with the road
  • Limiting excessive chassis and body movement
  • Providing roll stability
  • Improving ride consistency under changing loads

The suspension must be matched to the truck’s frame, drive axles, wheelbase, driveshaft geometry, brakes, tires, wheels, and intended operating weight.

Common Specifications

  • Suspension Type: Air drive-axle suspension
  • Axle Arrangement: Single or tandem drive axle
  • Single-Axle Capacity: 17,000 to 23,000 pounds
  • Tandem-Axle Capacity: 34,000 to 46,000 pounds
  • Mounting Height: 7 to 10.5 inches
  • Tandem Axle Spacing: 52 to 60 inches
  • Upward Axle Travel: 3 inches
  • Downward Axle Travel: 2.5 inches
  • Suspension Medium: Air springs
  • Structural Support: Spring beams
  • Damping: Outboard-mounted shock absorbers
  • Alignment: Adjustable torque arms
  • Axle Attachment: Machined castings and high-strength U-bolts
  • Brake Compatibility: Disc or drum brakes
  • Air Supply: Vehicle compressed-air system

Exact capacity, mounting height, axle spacing, dimensions, and component specifications depend on the selected 102AR configuration and vehicle application.

Capacity, Ride Height, and Axle Travel

Single-axle versions of the 102AR are available with suspension capacities ranging from 17,000 to 23,000 pounds. Tandem configurations range from 34,000 to 46,000 pounds.

The selected suspension capacity must match the drive axles, frame, brakes, tires, wheels, and completed vehicle ratings. The mechanical capacity of the suspension does not automatically increase the vehicle’s gross axle weight rating or gross vehicle weight rating.

Available mounting heights range from 7 to 10.5 inches. The correct mounting and ride height affect:

  • Suspension travel
  • Air-spring operating shape
  • Shock-absorber position
  • Driveshaft angles
  • Axle alignment
  • Tire clearance
  • Body and equipment clearance
  • Fifth-wheel or body height
  • Vehicle center of gravity
  • Overall handling

The suspension provides approximately 3 inches of upward axle travel and 2.5 inches of downward travel.

Correct ride height allows the suspension to use its available movement without permitting the axle, tires, driveshaft, air springs, or other components to contact surrounding structures.

Ride Quality and Load Distribution

The air springs help absorb road impacts before they reach the frame, cab, vehicle body, passengers, or cargo. Because the air system adjusts to changing loads, the suspension can provide more consistent ride characteristics than many conventional steel-spring suspensions.

On tandem configurations, correct suspension setup helps distribute weight across both drive axles. Actual axle loading is also affected by:

  • Fifth-wheel position
  • Body and equipment placement
  • Fuel load
  • Cargo position
  • Wheelbase
  • Axle spacing
  • Frame geometry
  • Suspension ride height
  • Air pressure
  • Tire and wheel capacity

The vehicle should be weighed on a certified scale to confirm safe and legal axle loading. Suspension air pressure should not be treated as a substitute for an actual scale measurement.

Suspension Controls and Adjustment Options

The 102AR normally uses one or more height-control valves to maintain the specified chassis position.

Application-specific control functions may include:

  • Mechanical height-control valve
  • Manual suspension dump
  • Automatic suspension dump
  • Temporary chassis lowering
  • Loading-height adjustment
  • Low-air warning
  • Dash-mounted suspension control
  • Automatic leveling
  • Emergency inflation connection
  • Body-equipment interlocks
  • Fire-apparatus stabilization controls
  • Motorhome leveling-system integration

Dumping the suspension can lower the frame for loading, unloading, coupling, service, or vehicle-leveling procedures.

The suspension should normally return to its specified ride height before road operation. Ride height should only be adjusted using the measurements and procedures for the exact 102AR configuration.

Alignment and Suspension Geometry

The 102AR uses adjustable torque arms to establish and maintain drive-axle alignment.

Correct alignment is important for:

  • Straight vehicle tracking
  • Even tire wear
  • Correct tandem axle relationship
  • Proper driveshaft angles
  • Reduced rolling resistance
  • Stable braking
  • Predictable handling

On tandem configurations, both drive axles must be positioned correctly relative to the frame and to each other. An incorrectly aligned axle can cause tire scrub, vehicle pull, driveline vibration, and accelerated suspension wear.

Alignment should be inspected after:

  • Initial suspension installation
  • Torque-arm replacement
  • Spring-beam replacement
  • Axle replacement
  • Bushing replacement
  • Frame repair
  • Collision damage
  • Severe curb impacts
  • Ride-height adjustment
  • Driveline repair
  • Appearance of irregular tire wear

Ride height should be corrected before final axle-alignment measurements are taken.

Axle, Brake, and Wheel-End Options

The 102AR can be integrated with application-approved drive axles and wheel-end equipment.

Possible equipment includes:

  • Single drive axle
  • Tandem drive axles
  • Single-reduction drive axles
  • Application-specific heavy-duty axles
  • Air drum brakes
  • Air disc brakes
  • Dual rear wheels
  • Conventional wheel ends
  • Unitized hub systems
  • Antilock braking systems
  • Automatic traction-control systems
  • Automatic lubrication systems
  • Tire-pressure monitoring systems
  • Automatic tire-inflation equipment where applicable

Reyco Granning identifies the 102AR as compatible with disc or drum brakes. The suspension, axles, brakes, hubs, tires, and wheels must still be matched to the complete vehicle configuration.

Common Applications

  • Fire engines
  • Ladder trucks
  • Rescue vehicles
  • Tanker and pumper trucks
  • Class A motorhomes
  • Class 8 highway tractors
  • Class 6 trucks
  • Class 7 trucks
  • Dump trucks
  • Vocational trucks
  • Commercial straight trucks
  • Specialty emergency vehicles
  • Heavy service vehicles
  • Vehicles carrying sensitive equipment

Vehicle, Axle, and Frame Compatibility

The 102AR must be selected according to the vehicle’s chassis, axle arrangement, operating weight, and intended application.

Compatibility depends on:

  • Vehicle manufacturer
  • Vehicle model and model year
  • Frame width and rail strength
  • Single- or tandem-axle arrangement
  • Required suspension capacity
  • Drive-axle manufacturer and model
  • Drive-axle rating
  • Mounting height
  • Tandem axle spacing
  • Brake configuration
  • Wheel and tire equipment
  • Driveshaft design
  • Frame crossmembers
  • Fuel-tank placement
  • Exhaust-system placement
  • Battery-box location
  • Body and equipment clearance
  • Fifth-wheel position
  • Completed vehicle weight distribution

A 102AR should not be substituted for another suspension solely because its capacity rating appears similar. Mounting geometry, axle attachment, frame loading, driveline angles, and suspension movement must also be evaluated.

Advantages

  • Available for single or tandem drive axles
  • Supports multiple commercial and specialty applications
  • Air springs improve ride quality
  • Maintains consistent chassis height as loading changes
  • Provides strong roll stability
  • Suitable for highway and vocational service
  • Outboard shock absorbers help control suspension movement
  • Adjustable torque arms simplify axle alignment
  • High-strength U-bolts provide durable axle attachment
  • Machined castings help maintain secure axle positioning
  • Compatible with disc or drum brakes
  • Multiple mounting heights are available
  • Multiple tandem axle spacings are available
  • Provides controlled drive-axle movement
  • Designed for dependable and relatively low-maintenance operation

Limitations or Considerations

  • Requires a dependable compressed-air supply
  • Air leaks can lower the chassis
  • Ride height requires periodic inspection
  • Air springs, shock absorbers, and bushings are wear components
  • Incorrect ride height can create driveline vibration
  • Incorrect tandem alignment can cause tire scrub
  • Capacity varies by configuration
  • Mounting height must match the chassis
  • Frame and axle attachments require periodic inspection
  • Older configurations may use superseded components
  • Specialty vehicle bodies may restrict service access
  • Does not automatically increase certified vehicle weight ratings
  • Improperly matched components can affect handling and durability
  • Exact replacement parts require complete suspension identification

Driver and Operator Experience

A properly maintained 102AR can provide a smoother and more consistent ride than many mechanical drive-axle suspensions. The difference may be especially noticeable when the truck is empty or lightly loaded.

Fire and rescue operators may benefit from reduced shock transmitted to personnel, tanks, pumps, ladders, cabinets, medical equipment, and body structures.

Motorhome occupants may experience less vibration and harshness inside the living area.

Drivers and operators should report:

  • Vehicle leaning to one side
  • Rear chassis sitting too low
  • Slow suspension inflation
  • Frequent compressor cycling
  • Excessive bouncing
  • Unusual body roll
  • Clunking or shifting noises
  • Driveline vibration
  • Poor vehicle tracking
  • Irregular drive-tire wear
  • Uneven tandem axle loading
  • Audible air leaks

A noticeable change in ride or handling should be inspected before the vehicle continues operating under heavy loads.

Maintenance and Ownership Notes

  • Inspect air springs for cracks, cuts, abrasion, and leaks.
  • Check air lines, fittings, reservoirs, and valves.
  • Measure suspension ride height at scheduled intervals.
  • Inspect height-control valve linkage.
  • Check outboard shock absorbers for leakage or damage.
  • Inspect shock-absorber mounts and fasteners.
  • Examine spring beams for cracks or deformation.
  • Inspect adjustable torque arms and bushings.
  • Check axle seats and machined mounting castings.
  • Inspect U-bolts and verify required torque.
  • Inspect frame brackets and crossmembers.
  • Monitor drive tires for irregular wear.
  • Check single- or tandem-axle alignment.
  • Inspect driveshaft angles and universal joints.
  • Maintain the air compressor and air dryer.
  • Drain air reservoirs as required.
  • Test suspension dump controls when equipped.
  • Inspect the suspension after overloading, collision, or severe impact.
  • Follow the maintenance information for the exact 102AR configuration.

Common Suspension Problems

  • Air leaks: Damaged air springs, hoses, fittings, valves, or reservoirs can cause the chassis to settle or prevent normal suspension inflation.
  • Incorrect ride height: A damaged height-control valve, bent linkage, restricted air line, or improper adjustment can position the frame too high or too low.
  • Vehicle leaning: Uneven loading, air restrictions, incorrect valve adjustment, damaged air springs, or structural problems can cause one side to sit lower.
  • Excessive bouncing: Worn shock absorbers, incorrect ride height, damaged air springs, or unsuitable loading can reduce suspension control.
  • Poor roll stability: Incorrect ride height, worn bushings, failed shock absorbers, loose fasteners, or excessive loading can increase body movement.
  • Irregular tire wear: Axle misalignment, worn torque-arm bushings, improper tire pressure, or wheel-end problems may cause rapid tire wear.
  • Tandem tire scrub: Incorrect axle alignment or axle spacing can force the drive tires to work against each other.
  • Driveline vibration: Incorrect ride height, shifted axle position, worn torque arms, or changed driveshaft angles may create vibration.
  • Loose axle attachment: U-bolt or axle-seat problems can allow movement between the axle and suspension.
  • Structural cracking: Corrosion, impacts, overloading, loose fasteners, or improper repairs can damage beams, brackets, or crossmembers.

Identification Information

Suspension identification information may be located on a tag attached to the suspension, frame bracket, beam assembly, axle, or vehicle chassis.

Record the following information:

  • Vehicle manufacturer
  • Vehicle identification number
  • Vehicle model and model year
  • Complete Reyco Granning suspension model
  • Suspension serial or assembly number
  • Single- or tandem-axle configuration
  • Rated suspension capacity
  • Mounting height
  • Tandem axle spacing
  • Drive-axle manufacturer
  • Drive-axle model and rating
  • Brake type
  • Wheel and tire configuration
  • Air-spring part numbers
  • Shock-absorber part numbers
  • Torque-arm numbers
  • Spring-beam numbers
  • Height-control valve information

Replacement components should not be identified by appearance alone. Similar-looking 102AR configurations may use different beams, brackets, air springs, torque arms, shock absorbers, or mounting dimensions.

Buying Considerations

  • Confirm that the suspension is a 102AR.
  • Determine whether the vehicle uses a single or tandem arrangement.
  • Verify the required suspension capacity.
  • Confirm the correct mounting height.
  • Measure tandem axle spacing when applicable.
  • Match the drive-axle model and rating.
  • Confirm disc- or drum-brake compatibility.
  • Verify frame width and mounting geometry.
  • Check driveshaft and crossmember clearance.
  • Review air-supply requirements.
  • Confirm replacement-parts availability.
  • Inspect used suspensions for corrosion and cracking.
  • Check beams, torque arms, bushings, shocks, and air springs.
  • Verify axle-attachment hardware.
  • Compare the suspension rating with tire and wheel capacities.
  • Use a qualified heavy-truck suspension installer.

Variants and Configurations

The 102AR is available in multiple application-specific arrangements.

Configuration differences may include:

Single drive axle

Tandem drive axles

Different single-axle capacities

Different tandem-axle capacities

Mounting heights from 7 to 10.5 inches

Tandem axle spacing from 52 to 60 inches

Disc brakes

Drum brakes

Different drive-axle models

Different frame widths

Application-specific air springs

Application-specific spring beams

Different torque-arm arrangements

Fire and rescue configurations

Motorhome configurations

Highway tractor configurations

Vocational truck configurations

The complete suspension model, capacity, mounting height, axle spacing, and axle arrangement should be verified before purchasing equipment or replacement parts.

Comparison to Similar Equipment

Compared with the Reyco Granning 79KB Suspension, the 102AR uses air springs and spring beams. The 79KB is a single-drive-axle steel-spring suspension rather than an air suspension.

Compared with the Reyco Granning 240AR Air Suspension, the 102AR is available for single- and tandem-drive-axle applications. The exact capacities, mounting arrangements, and intended vehicle applications differ.

Compared with the Reyco Granning 102 Steel Spring Drive Axle Suspension, the 102AR uses air springs to improve ride quality and maintain chassis height as vehicle loading changes.

Compared with the Reyco Granning 102AR-HD, the standard 102AR covers single- and tandem-drive-axle configurations within its published capacity range. The 102AR-HD is intended for heavier fire and rescue vehicle applications.

Compared with a conventional leaf-spring suspension, the 102AR generally provides better unloaded ride quality and more consistent chassis height. A mechanical suspension may use fewer air-system components.

Best Fit For

  • Vehicles originally engineered for the Reyco Granning 102AR
  • Fire and rescue vehicles
  • Class A motorhomes
  • Class 8 highway tractors
  • Class 6 and Class 7 trucks
  • Single-drive-axle trucks
  • Tandem-drive-axle trucks
  • Dump trucks
  • Vocational vehicles
  • Vehicles requiring strong roll stability
  • Vehicles operating with changing loads
  • Operators wanting an established air-suspension design
  • Fleets with access to heavy-truck air-suspension service

Related Vehicle and Trailer Types

Related Truck and Trailer Models

Related Suspension Types

Related Equipment Systems

Related Guides

Regulatory and Compliance Notes

The suspension’s rated capacity does not override the vehicle’s gross axle weight rating, gross vehicle weight rating, tire capacity, wheel capacity, brake rating, or applicable legal road-weight limits.

Suspension installation or modification must preserve:

  • Brake-system operation
  • Steering and handling stability
  • Driveshaft geometry
  • Tire and wheel clearance
  • Fuel-system protection
  • Exhaust-system clearance
  • Electrical-system protection
  • Body and equipment clearance
  • Frame structural integrity
  • Required ground clearance

Fire and rescue vehicles may be subject to additional apparatus, equipment, stability, braking, and final-stage manufacturing standards.

Motorhomes and specialty vehicles may also have application-specific construction and certification requirements.

Real World Operating Notes

Correct ride height is essential on the 102AR. A vehicle operating too high or too low may experience reduced suspension travel, poor air-spring geometry, driveline vibration, altered handling, or component interference.

On tandem configurations, alignment problems can quickly damage expensive drive tires. Ride height, torque-arm condition, axle position, and tire pressure should all be checked when abnormal tire wear appears.

Fire trucks and motorhomes can carry significant weight from tanks, pumps, ladders, generators, slide-outs, storage compartments, and onboard equipment. Actual axle weights should be confirmed after the completed vehicle is loaded for normal operation.

Replacement air springs, spring beams, shock absorbers, and torque arms should be matched to the exact suspension configuration. Similar appearance does not confirm interchangeability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Reyco Granning 102AR?

The 102AR is an air drive-axle suspension available for single- and tandem-axle commercial and specialty vehicles.

What vehicles use the 102AR?

Applications include fire trucks, Class A motorhomes, Class 8 tractors, and Class 6 and Class 7 trucks.

What is the 102AR’s single-axle capacity?

Reyco Granning lists single-axle capacities ranging from 17,000 to 23,000 pounds.

What is its tandem-axle capacity?

Published tandem capacities range from 34,000 to 46,000 pounds.

What mounting heights are available?

The published mounting-height range is 7 to 10.5 inches.

What tandem axle spacings are available?

Published tandem axle spacings range from 52 to 60 inches.

Does the 102AR work with disc brakes?

Yes. Reyco Granning identifies the 102AR as compatible with disc or drum brakes.

Does the 102AR use conventional leaf springs?

The 102AR combines air springs with structural spring beams. It is an air suspension rather than a conventional steel leaf-spring suspension.

Why are the shock absorbers mounted outboard?

Outboard shock placement helps control suspension movement and contributes to the system’s roll stability.

How is drive-axle alignment adjusted?

The suspension uses adjustable torque arms to establish and maintain axle alignment.

Does installing a 102AR increase the truck’s weight rating?

No. The vehicle remains limited by its certified axle, frame, brake, tire, wheel, and gross vehicle weight ratings.

Why is correct ride height important?

Correct ride height preserves axle travel, air-spring geometry, driveshaft angles, alignment, tire clearance, and vehicle handling.

How can the correct replacement parts be identified?

Use the suspension model and serial information, capacity, mounting height, axle spacing, vehicle VIN, drive-axle information, and individual component numbers.

Availability and Where to Find

The Reyco Granning 102AR and its replacement components may be available through Reyco Granning distributors, commercial-truck dealers, fire-apparatus service centers, motorhome service facilities, suspension specialists, and heavy-duty parts suppliers.

Availability depends on the required axle arrangement, suspension capacity, mounting height, axle spacing, frame, brake system, and vehicle application.

Before ordering, buyers should confirm the suspension model, capacity, axle arrangement, mounting height, axle spacing, air springs, spring beams, torque arms, shocks, brackets, U-bolts, valves, and installation hardware.

Current product information, technical support, replacement parts, and distributor resources are available through the Reyco Granning website.

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